Update (Thursday 11 am PCT): Robert Hunter has now responded to this article, here.
Touring is fun, right? Not when you don’t have a choice because you have medical bills to pay and publishing isn’t paying enough anymore. Which is exactly the situation for 70-something Robert Hunter, the lyricist behind many Grateful Dead classics who simply can’t depend on royalties from his famous songs anymore.
“When I was in my sixties, it seemed like a good time to retire, and I didn’t have a financial reason,” Hunter told Rolling Stone.
“But I’ve got medical bills to pay, so I’m a working man again [laughs]. Last year I managed to have a nice hospitalization that should have been fatal. I had a spinal abscess.”
And this gets worse: during the abscess surgery, doctors also found bladder cancer and were forced into more surgery. All of which means this probably isn’t the best time to hit the road. “There’s a lot I have to pay,” Hunter continued.
“I better make more money than one’s able to make in publishing these days to take care of it.”
“It got me thinking I’d better get on the road. So I booked a short tour to see if I could do it.”
its four shows in the northeast.
You mean, that’s what is announced thus far. I’m sure.
This case study is the exact reason why artists must be properly compensated for their works. The previous article about the model Vlogger copyright infringement lawsuit reeked of pro-piracy and subtle feminist ideological perspectives.
Suppose a Vlogger uses this artist’s music in their videos, gets paid by the hundreds of thousands, and YT fails to deliver the appropriate royalties for the music synchronization?
This artist had to go on the road so to speak to save his life from health deterioration, or is it because he is not a steaming hot female in her 20s, his plight is denied?
I hate to say it but double standards seem to exist far beyond criminal and family law in Canada and the USA.
“pro-piracy and subtle feminist ideological perspectives […] is it because he is not a steaming hot female”
Your anti-feminist propaganda is irrelevant & boring.
Men in here have a lot of issues. The amount of sexist ramblings from this loser. He should jump off a brige.
What you talkin bout, Vanessa?
Where is the nearest brige?
can i say, “oh shut up’?
The Kaskade guy would tell him he is crazy and to find something else to pay the bills.
I think medical bills, for a probably uninsured person, for substantial surgeries and cancer treatment would have hit him hard when he was making the most amount of money he ever made, too.
Also, is PUBLISHING really the issue here? Is the GD catalogue that valueless now? Hell, I’ve gotten $10K syncs for no-name bands, and know others who have gotten even more. You’re telling me they can’t license these songs for good money anymore? Also, there’s a GD Sirius/XM station still, isn’t there? I’ve got a hunch there’s mismanaged money somewhere in the pipeline…but also those medical bills are probably hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“I think medical bills, for a probably uninsured person, for substantial surgeries and cancer treatment would have hit him hard when he was making the most amount of money he ever made, too.”
I didn’t think even you would have gone this low to make a point. Think about what you just said.
Don’t you ever tire of putting a spin on everything that doesn’t align with your belief system? Do you really have to respond with your perspective on EVERYTHING posted here?
Aren’t your bands, that you represent so successfully, ever wonder why you spend so much time here? Better yet, do you have a life or are your just some automated responder from echo-nest.
Really dude, not only have you worn out your welcome, your karma is permanently damaged.
can i say, ” oh shut up.”/
Knock yourself out.
Medical bills, even IF you have insurance, are VERY costly. It happened to me. I luckily had great Health Insurance. I was Diagnosed with a rare Cancer and had to pay the Dr. $15,000.00 up front because the he was “out of network” and Insurance wouldn’t cover the whole thing. Thank God my sister happen to have some money laying around. Americans need to wake up about this Whole Insurance Debate. You will never understand until you or someone you love is diagnosed with a catastrophic illness/Chronic illness. Insurance companies run this country. I can totally sympathize with Robert Hunter. Even as talented as he is, with a lifelong career in the music industry, He now has to worry about paying these astronomical Hospital bills. Stress is THE WORST THING anyone has to deal with. It makes you more ill than the illness. I wish you all the best Robert Hunter. I have lived and loved your beautiful words my entire life! Peace & Blessings to you.
My father in law is canadian and he died this month.
he spent the past 12 years fighting off 5 cancers and had 6-7 operations and most of his intestines and stomach were gone. by the end it got so bad that he stopped chemo for another cancer while they concentrated on more important things (!).
He worked his whole life, raised 6 kids (5 went to university, not because he was rich but because it was affordable), had a small house and was doing ok financially if he didnt do anything crazy. in canada, he could ‘afford’ getting this sick, in the US, not so much.
with all the things he went through, all the ordeals, pain, drugs after drugs, treatment after treatment (without whom he wouldnt have never lived to meet his grandsons), i cant help but read your post and wonder what would have happened to him had he lived in the US.
my wife and I and most of our work friends do very well, we have good insurance and life a nice life so we know the reality but are shielded from it. my father in law as well as his whole family tried to stay positive throughout the ordeals, I cant help but wonder now if the stress of costs of health care would have hurt him.
I hope Hunter can finish out his days stress free. And happy:
“If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?”
Hmm…forced. Bet in his younger years he was KILLIN to tour, a luxury most musicians don’t get. Now its drudgery??!! Where are all his “connections” from years of hard work stepping up???? Shame on the musical community, or whatever / whoever, record companies, etc, for not taking care of their own. Where are his royalties from all the song writing he produced? Oh ya, some shameless record execs pocket is quite full I’m sure. That said, and I feel for the guy, but most us NON MUSICIANS, work wellllll into our senior years to pay our bills, medical and otherwise. Being a musicians isn’t the holy grail into all that musicians expected because you sing, write or play an instrument. Take it from a public serving teacher who will most likely be in the same bag as this man, without any postings on social media about it. Teachers sadly, never become famous just because they have a different kind of talent. Come on music community. TAKE CARE of your peeps……
Im a disabled deadhead with a lifetime teaching certificate and a love of words and my guitar. Ive never met Bob Hunter but Ive bought his albums. He is a kindred spirit. I have health problems of my own that I cant afford. Its all of our faults for not caring about ourselves, each other, who we vote for, or the planet & its inhabitants. Instead of arguing and calling each other names lets play nice. Be proactive. Make a difference. Get well soon Hunter.
oh and the same to you too. i have NO patience with you people. Do something worthwhile with your brains, money, talent. Get lives for pete’s sake!!!!!
I’m confused. Are you saying commenting online is a waste of time? While I don’t necessarily disagree…what are YOU doing here?
“Anonymous” eh? It sure is easy to diss others when you hide behind a non-identity. Why not use your real name, like MIguel, and me… you are more of a waste than people with real opinions!
Oh, and by the way, speaking of mismanagement, at the height of their touring, the Dead were the most successful touring band in the country, and they STILL lost money! The reasons were obvious to some.
And Jerry, whoever you are, can you document that story with at least a link?
Why didn’t he have health insurance?
I don’t like paying my premium, but I do so this doesn’t happen.
Even if he had insurance he’d have to pay 20-50% which cal still come up to $100,000.
Huh? I have a typical 80-20 policy with a maximum family out-of-pocket of $4,500.00. After that is met, policy pays 100% up to policy limit.
There’s no open-ended percentage that I pay, and I know of no policy that works like that.
I agree, Jughead. I pay about $1500 a year which includes all of the supplements on Medicare and I am 100% covered. Hospitalization does not cost a thing under Medicare. I guess RH is one of those who does not believe in “guberment” and did not pay in when he was younger. I know a few guys like that, I my tax dollars now have to cover them.
In the United States, this situation is NOT unique to musicians and songwriters.
This says as much to me about the US healthcare system as it does about the music industry…
Exactly. That’s what this story is about. Not weird screeds about feminism or synch licenses. And Hunter’s story comes a day after yet another attack against the ACA.
Right on! We all pay for life with death, everything else could and should be free.
Umm… How about those of us that are close to his shows go and support “The Words of The Dead” . Bitchin’ is nice and all, but, actions ……… Guess who just scored tickets to the Wilkes-barre, Pa show. Whoo hoo. Meet me there. We’re all on The Internets, it’s that easy. Good ‘ol Grateful Darrin, West Virginia.
hell yes ~ go see this mans shows ! I’ll be there
good one! yes…go buy tickets, go see the man.
Given the procedures he had, even with medical insurance and the termsnof thay respective insurance he could potentially have ten to hundreds of thousands in out of pocket costs. . Plus I dlnt imagine theres too many royalties still coming in for slngs he wrote with/for the dead. This is a major issue in our country fkr the elderly lr those requiring major medical procedures. Sending good vibes!
Because they are girls, one in every three girls around the world is denied an education, mainly in Arab nations. Every day, young girls are taken out of school, forced into marriage and subjected to emotional, psychological and sexual abuse by old perverted men.
Men are nothing but scum and losers. The world needs a lot less Miguels and more men to fight against the war on women.
What’s this got to do with the subject? I guess its that time of the month again
You are never gonna score.
Oh come on Vanessa, that’s ridiculous. Keep the sexist ranting to yourself. Most of the men on here don’t want to have arguments about this. But you just attacked every man on here because of one guy’s comment? Tasteful and tactful of you. (Severe Sarcasm.) Keep the discussion relevant please?
Eat me cunt
Perhaps John Perry Barlow, one of the founders of the EFF, will help him out. https://projects.eff.org/~barlow/Declaration-Final.html
i came on here to learn of the story and check the comments and what strikes me is some crazy broad named vanesa saying all men are scum and should die. what a moron!
Is there any type of fund raiser set up to help pay his bills? I’m sure there are plenty of generous Deadheads who would be willing to donate.
I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. ALL YOU TWEETER TWITTERERS AND FACEBOOKER NEGATIVE HATING MESSENGARS:
IF YOU DONT HAVE ANYTHING GOOD TO MESSAGE AND TWEET : Dont F•cking TWEET IT or MESSAGE IT!!!!
His writing had a direct impact on so many people’s lives over the last 50 years. I saw him perform years ago and it was a great show. Remember his words “We will survive, we will get by…”
I can’t wait to see him, tomorrow!
How disgusting that this country doesn’t have single-payer!
This should NOT be happening to ANYONE!!!!
I agree with the above about this country’s medical system. But I also wonder why Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, and whoever controls Jerry Garcia’s estate aren’t stepping up to help him out.
He is on a “single payer” system. It’s called Medicare. It’s the kind of program that fools like you love. You get to pay for it and get nothing.
Come to Canada!!
i think Grateful Dead will make more money in the states than FemiStasi Canada
I would gladly support Mr Hunter on tour and am grateful that he gave us so much that we should give back.
when they where top they where not that nice should have seen how much they blew away so……
If the grateful dead members n the back office don’t take care of him I will turn my back forever. As it (family) would be a lie
I think a lot of this is tongue-in-cheek. Hunter is most likely NOT un-insured. Moreover, he’s in his 70’s and is eligible for Medicare.
It was hard to tell from the Rolling Stone article, actually. Here’s the excerpt, my take is that he’s dodging the question.
RS: Do you have health care?
RH: Oh, it’s there, and it wasn’t terrible without insurance. But there’s a lot I have to pay.
That RS article is old.
Not really.
The question is whether he had health insurance at the time of the serious illness. Whether that was written yesterday or months ago, is irrelevant.
for me, this is more of an example of how the US has a messed up health care system.
just sayin
Shame that Bobby and Phil aren’t stepping up to help out the man whose lyrics made them rich.
I saw Mr. Robert Hunter back in the 80s , a wonderful show!!!! with so many good times listening to the dead (live), I would certainly be willing to kick in. All the best to Robert Hunter, you will get by, you will survive!
Go see a Deadhead Doctor , for free !
The surviving members of the Grateful Dead should pick up the tab on this one. The owe him big time.
I think something else is also at play here, Mr Hunter did pretty well while the GD were rocking his tunes, he probably mismanaged a LOT of his money which so many musicians do, and as it sounds like he also had no insurance either…..so whose wrong, not the Dead, not the system, not the cancer or any other stupid excuse you can come up with, it’s mismanagement of his funds…………and NOT having insurance, which although expensive is a necessity today
Watch out, if you blame this on anything besides low streaming rates, FarePlay will yell at you for being a terrible person. In fact, I’m sure his preferred headline is ‘Spotify Gives Robert Hunter Cancer.’
Hunter is a creep who put his dyslexic son in a Military Academy. They punished his son for not performing academically and his son committed suicide. Hunter then wrote an open letter to the student body saying that the suicide was his son’s fault and that he must have been fooling around and accidentally hanged himself. If anyone deserves to suffer it’s Robert Hunter who was busy working on a book and wanted his son out of his hair.
MEDICARE ONLY PAYS 80% FOLKS!
“Person has to work” LOL
I feel the grateful dead foundation should help him out or Garcia foundation
This isn’t a publishing royalties issue. This is a health insurance issue. The fact is that a major illness has the ability to bankrupt almost anyone– even if they make good money and even if they have insurance.
Even post ACA this is a uniquely American issue.
Just to clarify some things for some of the drama queens and nit-wits here. Hunter has insurance, good insurance, but there was still a lot of out of pocket expenses. Hunter isn’t broke, but he has expenses (other then medical bills) and he wants to leave a financial legacy. He’s feeling OK, but he’s 73 yrs old and recovering from a serious illness. If you want to do something to show your appreciation, go buy one of his books, albums or buy a ticket to see this legend perform. Otherwise, clamp yer piehole shut and leave your self loathing drama on some other site. The GD extended family is well aware and doing what we can to help, but Hunter isn’t asking right now, he’s a pretty private and self sufficient guy and I doubt he will ever ask for $ help from GDP.
WE ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.
Cheers!
McGannahan Skjellyfetti
Right on! The music IS still magic and the family is still intact. As much love as the dead generated does not fade away. Dont diss my band man, I love those guys & remember this is mass media so take all the “info” with a grain of salt.
I’m having a problem with this one. I started following The Dead in 1978. Probably 128 shows if I’m being conservative. I adore Robert Hunter. I have a catastrophic illness. Stage 4 Cancer. I don’t have Bobby Weir or any number of his friends to help out. Not to mention…hospitals can’t turn you away if you pay 5 bucks a month. Or they write it off. I’ve dealt with this insane system for over 5 years as a patient and over 30 in the medical profession. Really having an issue with the sad tale. It just isn’t true. And, is it my issue he didn’t save money in his career? Did he take a vow of poverty?
A debate with two extremes: at the top, the old herd has lost the publishing revenue stream. Sad and real. On the bottom, I left an open mic in a brew pub where maybe five songwriters showed up. Good ones but they were playing for each other. Then I went to the local uni coffee house run by kids for kids and barely keeping the doors open. Packed to the walls with guitars and songwriters competing for their ten minutes. Money? They have been taking up tips and donations for the last four months to collect the 3k they need to pay BMI/ASCAP/SESAC so any of them can play covers. As a result, it’s all originals and will be until they can pay the vig.
Something has to give. They love the Beatles. They hate the collection agencies. Sure, without the muggers, no one gets paid for songs. These kids can’t tour. They have no “access” and Hunter bloody well did so at least he CAN tour.
You are killing the seed corn and at some point the new artists are going to refuse to join the Gang. They know they have to sell merc and they do. They know they have to play for free and they do. And you know what, they are starting to write good songs. And if this keeps up, they will have their own libraries, their own heros and the agencies are going to rot on the vine. The tech guys know all they have to do is bide their time and they will BE the industry.
So maybe it is time for the Bigs to think more strategically. Call off the collectors on the little rooms. 3K IS a of ‘natch for the little rooms. Give something back that the young ones will see: debt forgiveness, a pass whatever you want to call it, but make it a point to stop robbing children’s piggy banks. Quit being the industry’s analog of Wall Street. Because if you don’t, they are eventually going to bust your nuts and if you think the situation is bad now, just wait. They’ve been raised on Fuck The Man, watched Gaza, saw the Occupy heads busted in the street, They love the music but could rats ass about the old people because frankly you’re screwing them,
Been on both sides, done this for a long time and I repeat what I said to the Web Heads who said it could all be done in a creative commons: as the twig is bent, so grows the tree. Get a clue.
holy crap..
.
DMN is attracting the REAL hippies now..
Looks like Hunter addressed this article and the silly gossip spreading up around it head on through his official Facebook.
From Hunter himself:
It’s come to my attention that there is an article circulating from https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/07/22/grateful-dead-lyricist-forced-tour-pay-medical-bills taking a few quotes out of context from last year’s interview I did for a Rolling Stone profile.
Thank you all for your concern regarding my health, however I am grateful this is old news taken out of context and has been sensationalized. I am fully recovered, and I am not in need of any financial help or indebted, although I’m deeply touched by the immediate concern and overwhelming response of the community. The reason I have decided to come back to touring is to play the music I love and for the deep connection to my audiences.
I am going on stage not because I have to but because I WANT to. Reconnecting with the fans and the music is a powerful experience and not one that I take lightly.
Still kicking,
Robert.
http://www.facebook.com/roberthuntertour/posts/882917501725344
It’s come to my attention that there is an article circulating from https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/07/22/grateful-dead-lyricist-forced-tour-pay-medical-bills taking a few quotes out of context from last year’s interview I did for a Rolling Stone profile.
Thank you all for your concern regarding my health, however I am grateful this is old news taken out of context and has been sensationalized. I am fully recovered, and I am not in need of any financial help or indebted, although I’m deeply touched by the immediate concern and overwhelming response of the community. The reason I have decided to come back to touring is to play the music I love and for the deep connection to my audiences.
I am going on stage not because I have to but because I WANT to. Reconnecting with the fans and the music is a powerful experience and not one that I take lightly.
Still kicking,
Robert.
If you read the Rolling Stone article, it seems very clear that Hunter’s touring because he has to not because he wants to. He’s making the best of it and seeing the upside, but would rather stay at home (like lots of people).
The RS article from 10 months ago?
Yeah, this really sounds like he WANTS to be out there on the road”
ROLLING STONE: Do you have health care?
HUNTER: Oh, it’s there, and it wasn’t terrible without insurance. But there’s a lot I have to pay. I better make more money than one’s able to make in publishing these days to take care of it. It got me thinking I’d better get on the road. So I booked a short tour to see if I could do it.
My point was that article is 10 months old. Maybe he HAD to get on the road then, but per his posting YESTERDAY, sounds like money isn’t really an issue anymore.
uh-huh
https://www.facebook.com/roberthuntertour/posts/882917501725344?fref=nf
Hunter is a creep who put his dyslexic son in a Military Academy. They punished his son for not performing academically and his son committed suicide. Hunter then wrote an open letter to the student body saying that the suicide was his son’s fault and that he must have been fooling around and accidentally hanged himself. If anyone deserves to suffer it’s Robert Hunter who was busy working on a book and wanted his son out of his hair.
Leroy was his son’s name.
There’s a little irony in the fact that Hunter’s fellow Grateful Dead lyricist, John Perry Barlow, is a founder of the Electronic Frontier Federation, aka The Pirate’s Friend. Maybe Hunter should ask him for a sub.
I thought OBAMACARE or Medicare was suppose to take care of these things. See, big government sucks.
I am a big Robert Hunter fan, but truth be told, he does look like he is at death’s door.
He’s as broke as a Japenese fisherman.
Um, no…no he’s not. I think he clarified that in his statement yesterday but I guess you didn’t take the time to read it.
broke as a Japanese fisherman lol that was funny
I pay 3600€ a year for health insurance. 16% of my monthly pay check are taken off, no matter which insurance company. Because it’s the law. I have never paid a penny at a hospital or the doctor’s. But your American freedom is so important to you, you place it above your health.
From Robert Hunter:
“Thank you all for your concern regarding my health, however I am grateful this is old news taken out of context and has been sensationalized. I am fully recovered, and I am not in need of any financial help or indebted”
All 85 comments above for nothing 🙂
I don’t blame Robert for making that statement. He almost had to make a statement like that to avoid looking completely desperate and disingenuous.
But that’s spin.
Am I saying that his financial situation hasn’t truly recovered? No, because I have no way of knowing. But note that Robert isn’t saying that he was misquoted, he’s saying that the quotes were taken out of context and sensationalized.
So, if that’s the case, let’s go back to the Rolling Stone article. Read it. It’s pretty obvious what he said. I’m frankly not sure there’s much ground for debate on his initial motivations for touring.
I think it must be said that the tool that wrote this article did not do his homework. It’s funny how someone can take an old Rolling Stone article and run with it like it was new news. Shame on you! And for those that have gone on a bashing rants over the members of the Dead being unsupportive and such…What the hell do you know? You are certainly not a head if you can go on with such trash talk. Smh.
Hunter is touring because he wants to, not because he’s broke. He confirmed this himself in an open letter, and this has also been confirmed via GD insiders. The quote used in this article was taken out of context and is misleading.
Actually it wasn’t. You should read the entire Rolling Stone article. It’s an honest conversation, perhaps Robert regrets being candid at this point.
But it clearly states that his initial motivation to tour was financial, based on medical problems and lowered publishing revenues. Now, after that he found other motivators and seemed accepting and even happy with the initial kickstart.
But that kickstart was financial.
Back to our scheduled program.
That’s unfortunate. I had major surgery back when I was in 9th grade, I think it was a 6-figure surgery. I can’t imagine even with insurance that covering enough to not be a staggering cost.
Hell, even if it was only 30 grand I had to pay that would be a lot!
Healthcare in the US should be a NOT FOR PROFIT enterprise. Corporations should not be making a profit off of someone’s cancer or illness. Every other major industrialized nation provides such care for its citizens –except the US.The Chancellor of Germany was quoted in, I believe it was a docuementary I saw on PBS titled something like, “Healthcare Around The World,” that “No one in Germany ever went bankrupt because illness and medical bills.” One of the leading causes of bankruptycy in the US is medical debt from an illness.
Another way to look at this issue is this: what is America’s greatest asset? Why, our citizens, of course! If we provide such care and protect ALL our citzens, our society will reap the benefit in the long run and will actually save money by keeping our greatest asset healthy and PRODUCTIVE! Let’s protect our greatest asset–OUR CITIZENS!!!
OFFER A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM to the people and cut out the profiteers.
That’s a shame, maybe Phil and Bob should help him out. They wouldn’t be anything with Hunter.
http://www.jambase.com/articles/122277/robert-hunter-clarifies-reasons-why-he's-touring